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Local Institutional Structures, Culture and Food Security in South Africa

  • Author / Creator
    Trefry, Amy J
  • Culture provides a lens through which to increase our understanding of community responses that both contribute to and detract from a population’s food security. This qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, observations and visual methodology identifies how culture is manifested within local institutional structures and how culture impacts community and individual responses to food insecurity. A case study explores one community group (Siyazondla Homestead Food Production Programme) to understand how culture is represented through this group and how it impacts food security. Key findings show that multiple initiatives and strategies are employed to cope with experiences of food insecurity. Furthermore, these initiatives are most aptly understood through a cultural lens, highlighting areas in which culture can positively contribute to a community’s food security through elements such as support in adaptation to shifting gender roles, self identity and cultural change, as well as negative impacts such as challenges presented by power imbalances.

  • Subjects / Keywords
  • Graduation date
    Spring 2013
  • Type of Item
    Thesis
  • Degree
    Master of Science
  • DOI
    https://doi.org/10.7939/R3KM1Q
  • License
    This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.